As RD discussed with Tim Unwin in her previous post, UNESCO awards one person and one organization for their inclusive ICT work every second year with a prize for Digital Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities. While awaiting the publication of the nominees of the 2018 awards, this last post of our blog will present the 2016 winners of the prize and reflect on the significance of their work.
The UNESCO prize is awarded for “outstanding contributions in promoting the inclusion and enhancing the lives of persons with disabilities through the application of digital solutions, resources and technologies”. It is handed out at the yearly UNESCO International Day of People with Disabilities ceremony. In 2016, nineteen countries submitted individual nominations and 23 countries presented nominations in the organizational category. The prize was finally attributed to Professor Alireza Darvishy from Switzerland and Tiflonexos Asociación Civil from Argentina. A sum of $40,000 was distributed equally between the winners.